Im at my worst end here, good battery, tested started, relay is good, cables are good (visual inspection) ground from battery to frame is tight, NO FRIGGIN START. Just a faint click. Any thoughts? Oh, first post.

 

have you checked your grounds?

 

What do you mean good battery" Was it load tested? Just measuring 12+ volts across the terminals doesn't necessarily mean good battery.

 

12.8 is good enough to turn it, I've checked the grounds at the battery to the frame and at the starter. Covered the basics at this point. Thanks for the plies as well, I knew I'd get ideas here.

 

I agree that you may need to get a load test on that battery. You absolutely cannot rely on the voltage; it doesn't represent what happens when the starter load is pulled in. Any parts store will do this for you for free. I've seen plenty of batteries test good with voltage but not be up to snuff with a load.

But before that, remove battery cables and freshen them and the battery posts until shiny. You cannot rely on a visual inspection. Period.

And while you are at it, freshen all engine grounds.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Replace the battery cables and posts? I have cleaned the clamps and posts.

Voltage drop was .5 volts when attempting to start, didn't have the battery load tested but I did use a known good battery with no change.

Anything else I can test out or eliminate? It's my aunt's and she can't afford to just throw parts at it.

As for ALL the grounds, where could I find a diagram showing other grounds associated to this circuit?

Thanks for all the ideas do far, greatly appreciated.

 

Have you tried taking a long screw driver and try to manually jump start your Jeep at the starter? This might eliminate your starter. Its possible the starter motor took a dive.

 

Sometimes batteries and starters test good but they won't start a vehicle.

I'd say the starter is bad.

You could take the starter out, take it apart and clean it.

They are known to get oil soaked.

 

X2 on this. I have had starters test good but actually were the cause if the not turning over.

 

MAN! I have had this issue before where it tested fine (alternator in my case) but it actually not work in the vehicle.

It WAS caked pretty all over with oil and grime but I cleaned it up. Didn't take it apart though. Maybe I should have. I'm going to spend another afternoon on it and see if I can't get this thing going for her. If need be I'll donate all the parts for it.

I actually did get it to spin in the vehicle, but just once. I jumped it at the starter and couldn't get it to do it again. Now that I've had more time to think I'm going to go back and look at ALL the grounds.

Can someone post a link or maybe post a copy of the diagram showing all the grounds for the igntion circuit? Can't see buying a manual for a Jeep that I don't even own and I've been scouring the net looking for one without success.

One last thing, sorry if my previous responses sounded short and curt, I was replying on my phone. I certainly appreciate everyone's help.

Also found this here (just trying to help anyone who stumbles upon this thread)

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/sta...oblems-141247/

 

Grounds can be the root cause of many electrical gremlins. Refreshing grounds is NEVER a bad idea, and the investment of your time in this procedure is always well worth it!

You can't tell much of anything by looking at ground connections!! You must remove, scrape, clean until shiny the cable/wire ends and whatever they bolt to. Be sure to remove all paint from any ground connections.

Start with the one on the back corner of the head, and where it attaches to the firewall, as it deteriorates over time and is an area that makes it susceptible to damage. Best to replace that woven cable with a #4 or #2 gauge cable. You can attach the one end to the intake manifold if you would like.

Next go over to the engine dipstick tube stud. Remove the nut and clean the wire ends and scrape the block until shiny at the stud. Reattach tightly.

If you are so inclined, add at least a #6 cable from the negative terminal of your battery to one of the bolts on your radiator support.

 

OUTSTANDING. Thanks for the details on locations! Any others I should look at? If it weren't such a long drive I'd head out there right now! But I'll have to wait til the weekend